No matter what I do, puppets always work they way into the story. These guys were a bit of a surprise. However they became a fun way to convey some backstory and foreshadow upcoming scenes.
Puppets. Always some puppets.
Posted with BlogsyReligion in the Conjurian
Here's a quick concept sketch for the Dedites, a religious order that believes Dedi created the Conjurian. They sprang up when I worked on the origins for this world. Their counterparts would be the growing majority that Dedi merely discovered the Conjurian. However, as you'll see in the first novel, the truths behind their beliefs will play a huge part in the future of both worlds.
The monk pictured here is loosely based on another of my favorite magicians, Kenton Knepper. A brilliant thinker and a major influence on many of the effects I perform.
The Conjurers on gocomics.com
Sorry that today's episode is not posted. However, since the comic recently launched on gocomics.com, I wanted to consolidate and sync where and when the comic is posted.If you would be so kind as to head on over to gocomics, subscribe to the strip there, and leave a comment telling the awesome, god-like beings that run the site, thank you, I will forever be indebted to you:http://www.gocomics.com/the-conjurersLots of Conjurers related material will continue to appear here. This will include posts on the novel, background stories and such on the Conjurian and bits and pieces on magic.Thanks again to all of you who have faithfully supported this endeavor for what seems like an eternity. I promise, cool things are a comin'.-Brian
The Conjurers Webcomic
Bit of a gap between pages. Sorry about that. However the reason for the delay is, I think, a decent one. Talks are back on regarding the Conjurers novel. Hopefully they end with a deal. Either way the comics shall continue.
The Conjurers Webcomic
Page sixteen. Savachia's getting the ol' magician's test to see if he's serious about magic. It's actually a fairly common practice in the real world. Most people loose interest after learning the working bits of a trick. If someone does master a trick you teach them, then there's a chance they have the bug.And, again, the interiors of the shop are fairly close to the store I based it on, except of course for the secret door. In the real shop, there is a door in that location that opens into a mini parlor complete with a stage. Always loved that about the shop so I took some liberties with it in the strip. And I am certainly taking liberties with the things that room contains. You'll just have to wait a bit for that.
The Conjurers Webcomic
Let the lies begin. AT least for Savachia, cause I'm not saying who else may or may not be honest.
The Conjurers Webcomic
And now we see a bit of Tenyo's personality. She makes a cactus feel smooth.Oh and a note on the "Blaine Package". I personally don't prescribe to that way of thinking, which is that David did tricks anyone could pick up at a shop and perform. Just borrowed that sentiment for Tenyo.Won't bore you with a magic lecture. Suffice it to say that the methods don't matter. The reaction and effect it has on the spectator is what counts. Posting this now before I jog off into a rant.
The Conjurers Webcomic
Late again. But I had to appease the Dog eat Doug deadline before finishing this page. The interior of the magic shop is fairly close to the actual shop it's based on. I know, cool huh?There's two other intriguing aspects to the real life magic store and both will play a roll in the comic. So, as you can guess, I'm not going to tell you now.
The Conjurers Webcomic
A day late but not a comic short. This one took a bit for a couple reasons. I have the entire story plotted but when I hit this page I realized it could be combined with the next page. So I scrapped them both and wrote this hybrid page.And yes, this shop is based on a real magic store. I used to live right down the street. And it's a magician's magic store. By that I mean, unless you're a magician, you would never know it existed. Yet a parade of who's who in the magic world parade through the closet sized store whenever they're in town.A little side story for my magician pals: One Saturday at the shop I got to spend the afternoon browsing through and trying out a box of spirit slates and such with Eugene Burger. Now that's a real magic shop!
The Conjurers Webcomic
It's 12:51 in the morning, so technically I missed the Monday deadline. Hopefully this page is interesting enough to be a smidge late. And obviously it opens another plot line. This plot line also ties directly into the novel. And by that I mean the scarred, card manipulating dude is THEE bad guy.
New Year, New Choices
Already on page eight. Just about at the end of act one, which simply means that in the coming pages the plot thickens. A lot. And, from an art perspective, I think the pages will lighten up a tad. Not sooo much heavy texture in the background.Speaking of the art, I'll take some pics of the process for the next page. Experimenting as I go, but I have a relatively simple process so far. It's a messy process which is as I intended. And I need to fill out more of the site. Some pieces on magic and my research for the novel.Any magicians reading? Bet you recognized one at least one of the names I've slipped in so far huh?
The Magic of Mac
A day ate on this one. The holiday and my other strip slowed me down a bit. Yet here it is! Hope this page doesn't feel too crowded. In the original scripts, this bit of exposition took up two pages. I dislike heavy exposition. Especially flashbacks. However, in this case, I felt I had to dip a bit into the past to set the emotional drive for the old couple. Tugs on the heart strings a bit? I hope.
An offer you should refuse.
The plot thickens, which also slows down the art production. The next few pages will be interesting. A few glimpses of the shadowy side of magicians. Just a glimpse mind you.In the meantime, if you want a complete story to read (or to read to someone), my new picture book came out last week. It's dark too, so if you like this art I think you'll love "The Prince's New Pet":The Prince's New Pet
When Karma Comes Knockin'
So there it is. Savachia's reason for doing whatever it takes to make a buck. And who's at the door? You'll see next Monday.
Character concept - the princess
This is a character that will be in the first webcomic story and in the novel. She is based on a real magician, Princess Tenyo. I'm a long way off on her look so I'll share some sketches from the process.
